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When it comes to fighting allergy symptoms, the regimen for people with respiratory allergies often consists of taking medication daily and trying to avoid their triggers.

But some people may also consider using complementary or alternative therapies to help manage their allergy symptoms. Complementary therapies are remedies outside mainstream medicine that “complement” the allergy treatments your doctor prescribes. Alternative therapies are those used in place of traditional treatments. However, true alternative therapies are uncommon, notes the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Most people who use non-mainstream approaches use them along with conventional treatments.

As many as 40 percent of Americans use some type of complementary therapy for their allergic rhinitis, according to a study published in the journal Current Asthma and Allergy Reports in December 2014. Examples include acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, yoga, and nasal irrigation.

Are Complementary Therapies Right for Your Respiratory Allergies?

Some people have severe respiratory allergies and some have more mild allergies, says Purvi Parikh, MD, an allergist and immunologist at Asthma & Allergy Associates of Murray Hill and NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City. “Those with mild respiratory allergies may have more leeway to try alternative therapies,” she says, whereas people with severe respiratory allergies can get in serious trouble if they abruptly stop taking prescribed medications that have been working.

To be safe, Dr. Parikh recommends that complementary therapies be used in addition to — not in place of — traditional respiratory allergy treatments.

Amy Rothenberg, ND, a naturopathic doctor in Amherst, Massachusetts, and president of the Massachusetts Society of Naturopathic Doctors, says she often sees people with allergies who are looking for more ways to find relief from their symptoms. “If that’s the case, a naturopathic doctor may be a good option,” she says.

Finding the Right Natural Treatment for Respiratory Allergies

Before you try any complementary therapy, talk to your doctor. “It’s important to work with your doctor to make sure whatever you do for allergy care is safe,” Parikh says. There isn’t a lot of scientific data on complementary therapies, “so it’s not known if they’re as good as or better than traditional allergy medications,” she says.

Look for a naturopathic practitioner who has proper credentials, Dr. Rothenberg says. The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) has an online directory on its website that's searchable by zip code. You also can ask trusted friends or colleagues if they could recommend someone, she says.

Here are six complementary approaches that may help provide allergy relief:

Acupuncture. Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese practice that involves inserting thin needles into the skin to stimulate specific parts of the body, according to the NCCIH. A study published in June 2016 in the journal Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology found that people with allergic rhinitis who were given acupuncture treatments twice a week for eight weeks had fewer symptoms than those who were given a placebo. However, not all studies have found such benefits, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Chinese herbs. Some herbs, such as butterbur extract, may help relieve respiratory allergy symptoms, according to the NCCIH. But there are some concerns about its safety, the NCCIH warns. If you're going to use herbs, work with a doctor who's familiar with the latest research and can recommend those that have been shown to be effective, Rothenberg says. Other herbs that may help reduce nasal allergy symptoms include dong quai, eyebright, gingko, milk thistle, yarrow, and stinging nettles, according to the AANP.

In addition, a study published in the journal Chinese Medicine in November 2015 found that herbs and acupuncture together could be used to safely treat respiratory conditions, including allergies.

Dietary supplements. A study published in July 2016 in the journal Allergy and Asthma Proceedings found a correlation between low levels of vitamin D and respiratory allergies in Korean elementary schoolchildren. Vitamin D supplements can help lower inflammation in the body that’s related to allergies and asthma, Rothenberg says.

Yoga. According to the NCCIH, yoga is a mind-body practice that combines physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation or relaxation. Yoga and deep-breathing exercises can improve lung volume and help reduce inflammation in the body, Rothenberg says. A study published in the Iranian Journal of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology in February 2014 found that people with bronchial asthma felt better after practicing yoga breathing exercises.

Nasal irrigation. Using a neti pot or other nasal irrigation system to rinse your sinuses may provide some relief from symptoms of respiratory allergies, according to the NCCIH. “Just don’t overdo,” Rothenberg says. “You can wash away healthy flora in your nose, so use a neti pot in moderation.” And the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notes that you should only use distilled, sterile, or previously boiled water in your neti pot, and always make sure to use and clean it properly.

Homeopathy. These are remedies made from natural sources such as plants and minerals, regulated by the FDA. The National Center for Homeopathy (NCH) recommends a number of homeopathic remedies for itchy and runny eyes and nose during allergy season. They include dulcamara, euphrasia, and nux vomica. Consult a homeopathic doctor for dosing and to determine which might be best for you, the NCH says.

No one complementary therapy will work well for everyone with respiratory allergies, Rothenberg says. If you’re considering adding a complementary therapy to an allergy management plan that also includes taking medication as prescribed and avoiding your allergy triggers, talk to your doctor about which approaches may work best for you.